Care for a pint? Head to your local independent theater and get your beer combined with spiritual joy of stage performing arts. If you told me this few months ago I would probably engage myself in a long discussion what could be defined as a theater. However our opinions do change and mine is no exception.
Pubs play an important role in British social life, I don't even need to restate this obvious fact. We also know that beer may very well be a national drink of this Kingdom. Londoners, like true European New Yorkers, are also fond of contemporary theater and performing arts, in general. Now, why not to combine all three together? I guess this question lead to creation of the numerous theaters all around London that are, in fact, real pubs with the the theater rooms adjacent to them. You can enjoy your cider before the show or take it with you for the duration of the one. If you are really up to it, you can grab a good snack or even a decent dinner at the same time.
OK, drinks and entertainment often come together in same establishments, but this is completely different. Some of such places call themselves free houses. Which does not mean you can drink for free or have a complimentary lodging. It has something to do with the independence from any particular brewery and a free choice of beer brands in stock. I am not a beer drinker but it was an interesting experience to observe pub crowd in the middle of a loud conversation slowly filling theater seats and preparing for a show. I admit like any good continental theater lover I had my glass of wine before the show and did not dare to bring it with me into the theater, but I certainly enjoyed this new discovery in a way which is only possible if you cross the Channel.
*photo flickr.com
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